Vision Zero
RELATED TOPICS: Safety Tools and Analysis, Countermeasures and Safety Effectiveness, Plan Development, Equity, Speed, Community Engagement
Vision Zero is a strategy to improve safety and eliminate all traffic-related deaths and severe injuries. Vision Zero originated in Sweden in the 1990s and since then, the country's traffic fatality rate has been cut in half. Vision Zero has been adopted in other areas of Europe and is quickly gaining traction in North America. In 2012, Chicago became the first city in the United States to commit to Vision Zero. Since that time, more than 40 locations in the U.S., including cities, counties, and regional planning organizations, have adopted Vision Zero policies and several more are in the process of committing to Vision Zero.
The Vision Zero concept affirms that deadly crashes are preventable. By prioritizing safety, a universal goal, Vision Zero policies utilize a comprehensive approach to transportation that involves collaboration across agencies and advocacy organizations. Importantly, in a break from traditional thinking that places responsibility for safety on the individual, Vision Zero recognizes that the people who create and enforce the road network are also responsible for safety.
Resources
Guide to Developing a Vision Zero Plan walks communities through the steps in creating a Vision Zero plan based on research into best practices. The guide benefits communities in developing an initial plan as well as places updating existing plans.
Vision Zero Network is a national non-profit that supports communities through technical assistance, the Vision Zero Focus Cities program, and guidance documents.
ITE Vision Zero Toolbox includes informative podcasts, webinars, and journal articles as well as a crowd sourced video analytics program that can help cars recognize vulnerable road users.
Toward Zero Deaths is a national initiative to support state-based Vision Zero efforts.
Road to Zero Coalition Safe System Innovation Grant awards funding to evidence-based highway safety programs that support the National Safety Council's Vision Zero efforts.
Vision Zero for Youth provides strategies for prioritizing youth pedestrian and bicyclist safety with the broader goal of improving safety for all road users.
More Resources >
Examples
The Vision Zero Plan Library contains plans from across the United States and provides examples of Vision Zero planning in a variety of settings.
The Denver Council of Governments Vision Zero Plan is an example of regional approach to Vision Zero.
Moving from Vision to Action: Fundamental Principles, Policies and Practices to Advance Vision Zero in the U.S. lays out the principles behind Vision Zero to provide a foundation for policymaking and planning.
A Vision for Transportation Safety: Framework for Identifying Best Practice Strategies to Advance Vision Zero provides a comparison of Vision Zero policy components within Sweden, the Netherlands, London, and several U.S. cities.
Using Automated Enforcement Data to Achieve Vision Zero Goals: A Case Study suggests that automated enforcement technology, such as speed and red light cameras, can support Vision Zero goals by providing data on where to target enforcement operations.
New York City Vision Zero Action Plan showcases a data-driven approach to Vision Zero along with solutions to meet safety needs.
More Examples >
Related Webinars
Vision Zero Network maintains a page with links to previous webinars that address topics related to Vision Zero.
PBIC Getting from Vision Zero Plan to Vision Zero Progress (4/18/2017)
